The year is off to a fractured start for Ben Affleck. After two box-office hits in 2016 (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and surprise smash The Accountant), word broke this month that his Christmas release, Live by Night—a passion project Affleck wrote, directed, produced, and starred in—resulted in a $75 million loss for Warner Bros. Now it’s been reported that Affleck will no longer direct the upcoming stand-alone film The Batman.

The actor, who began playing billionaire hero Bruce Wayne in Batman v Superman, has decided to relinquish the reins of the upcoming film, opting instead to stay on as the star and producer, according to Variety. The choice, apparently, has nothing to do with Live by Night’s recent flop.

“There are certain characters who hold a special place in the hearts of millions,” Affleck said in a statement. “Performing this role demands focus, passion, and the very best performance I can give. It has become clear that I cannot do both jobs to the level they require. Together with the studio, I have decided to find a partner in a director who will collaborate with me on this massive film. I am still in this, and we are making it, but we are currently looking for a director. I remain extremely committed to this project, and look forward to bringing this to life for fans around the world.”

“Warner Bros. fully supports Ben Affleck’s decision and remains committed to working with him to bring a stand-alone Batman picture to life,” the studio said a statement.

Variety says that the studio already has a short list for potential replacements, including __ Matt Reeves__ (War for the Planet of the Apes). Definitely not on that short list is former Affleck collaborator and noted superhero Stan Kevin Smith, who tweeted a self-deprecating joke] when a fan asked if he would be interested in the job: “I’m flattered. But 3 things make me directing Batman impossible: 1) Haven’t spoken to Ben in years. 2) I made @YogaHosers, 3) Common sense.” (You know who should be on the short list? Multiple female directors.)

Affleck’s Batman film has had a long, long development process, with Affleck saying as recently as January that nothing about it had been solidified yet. “It’s not a set thing, and there’s no script,” he told The Guardian. “If it doesn’t come together in a way I think is really great, I’m not going to do it.”

Director troubles have also plagued other movies in the D.C. universe. Rick Famuyiwa recently dropped out of directing the stand-alone Flash movie starring Ezra Miller, saying he and the studio ultimately “couldn’t come together creatively on the project.” Famuyiwa would have been the first black director to direct a D.C. movie in the newly expanding extended universe canon. He was also the second director tapped for the film, after initial director Seth Grahame-Smith dropped out.

D.C. was faced with yet another director shake-up when Breaking Bad director Michelle MacLaren dropped out of its Wonder Woman project, citing creative differences. Patty Jenkins was later tapped, after facing much directorial drama of her own over at Marvel.

The new Batman does not yet have a release date (or, really any solid details, as Affleck has previously warned)—but fans can see Bruce Wayne slip on the bat suit in the upcoming Justice League, which hits theaters November 17.